Latch



2 sheets-sheet 2. J. H. WAHL.

LATGH (No Model.)

No. 579,852. Patented Mar. 30. 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. W'AHL, OF UNION CITY, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SOLOMON S. RIFFLE, OF ANSONIA, OHIO.

LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 579,852, dated March 30, 1897.

Application filed July 14, 1896.

To LZZ whom it Wwf/y concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN II. VAHL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Union City, in the county of Darke and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in latches, and has special reference to a latch for swingand sliding doors, one object being the provision of a latch which can be utilized upon a swinging door or upon a sliding door and which will perform both functions in a perfect manner.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a latch which will lock the door both at top and bottom and which cannot accidentally become detached under any condition.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a latch which is especially desirable for barn, stable, factory, or like heavy doors and which is the embodiment of simplicity, durability, cheapness, and efticiency.

The invention consists of a latch embodying novel features of construction and combination of parts, substantially as disclosed herein.

Figure l represents a perspective view of a swinging door and casing equipped with my latch. Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of a sliding door equippedwith my latch. Fig. 3 represents a sectional view of the devices in latched position on the swinging door, and Fig. 4: represents a det-ail view of -my combined latch detached.

In the drawings, A designates a swinging door, and B designates the casing thereof, in connection with which I use my latch, which consists of the latch-lever O, fulcrumed in plate D, secured in opening E in the door near the upper and lower portion, having the hooked inner ends F, adapted by gravity to engage the locks or keepers G, secured to the casing, and the latches are connected by means of a wire, chain, cord, wood, stick, or any other device II, and to release them I provide the wire, chain, cord, wood, stick, or any other device J, connected to the upper latch-lever at K, and having a iinger-loop L for'easy manipulation of the wire, chain,

Serial No. 599,146. (No model.)

cord, wood, stick, or othei` device to release the latch.

It will be observed that the latches are pivoted in the door and are connected and that when the door is closedthey ride over the keepers and fall into engagement therewith by gravity and thus securely latch the door, and to release them it is simply necessary to pull down upon the wire, chain, cord, wood, stick, rod, or other device which lifts the hooks from the keepers and allows the opening of the door and latching operation to be automatic.

In the form usedfor sliding doors I employ the same means; but the latch-levers are provided each with an arm M, which extends at a right angle to the other latch and is formed with a hook N, adapted to engage a keeper O, secured to the casing, and in this case I provide a combined sliding and swinging door latch, the one latch being capable of use upon both kinds of doors.

With the sliding-door latch the door is slid closed and the hooks drop into the keepers and latch the door, and to open it the hand wire, chain, cord, wood, stick, rod, or other device is pulled down as in the other form of my latch.

I claim- 1. The combination with the door having the open casings at the top and bottom thereof, the latches pivoted or mounted in said casings and connected together on the inside, a lever or arm on the upper latch projecting on the outside of the door, a hand connection secured to said arm for moving the latches simultaneously, and keepers adapted to be engaged by said latches.

2. The combination of the upper and lower connected latches, one having a lever or arm, a hand connection for moving the latches, an auxiliary or supplemental latch carried by 95 said latches and arranged at a right angle thereto, and keepers to engage either of said latches whereby the latches may be used upon a sliding or swinging door.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. I/VAHL.

IOO

l Witnesses GEo. WELLS SMITH, JNO. W. WALKER. 

